These days you can wear your tech and use it to track not only your progress but also train you, motivate you and help you to improve your stats. Whether you are competing in an Ironman competition, have set yourself a goal to complete a marathon or just want to get out on your bike more this year, with one of our Best Sports Watches recommendations on your wrist, you will already be part way there toward smashing those fitness goals. Plus, you’ve no excuse for either getting lost or losing track of time either as many come with built-in GPS and maps plus of course, they all tell the time as well as detailing those all-important statistics. Wearable technology has come on leaps and bounds with significant advancements made to the battery life, improved and more diverse performance insights to suit a range of sports-related activities and smart and stylish design aesthetics to match. So let’s sift through some of the latest offerings and pull together our best of the best when it comes to this year’s Sports Watches.

The Best Sports Watch

1

Fitbit Ionic GPS Sport Watch

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If you are remotely into fitness, then you will of course already of heard of Fitbit who have made quite a name for themselves in the wearable fitness tech industry, and we think this is one of the best sports watches around. It’s a seriously fitness-focused Smartwatch and a solid choice for a range of sports activities and in particular for the runners among you. It looks smart, rather like an Apple Watch, and has plenty of bells and whistles without being too distracting either. Some of its commendable features include multi-day battery life, continuous heart-rate tracking, that all-important GPS, on-board personalized voice coaching as well as the option to listen to stored music.

Fitbit Ionic GPS Sport Watch is a cool training tool which even features a Fitness Coach App that provides access to a range of comprehensive expert-led workout sessions that you can opt to take advantage of as part of your own training program. These include access to audio workouts designed specifically for the treadmill which will help you work on important performance indicators such as endurance, speed, and overall form. There’s not a huge range of third-party apps that you can tap into, but you can certainly sync with all the most popular ones plus you can sync and backup all your latest stats.

The screen is bright and hi-res with a Gorilla Glass coated touchscreen which is water resistant to 50m, so it’s durable and rugged enough to use out on trails and also in the pool or lake. A stylish, dependable and versatile sports watch with plenty of useful features.

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Key Features:

Track heart rate, physical activity, and sleep stats 24/7

On-screen coaching with unique workouts and dynamic personal coaching

Water resistance to 50m

Listen, store and play over 300 songs and create personalized playlists

Built-in GPS/GLONASS tracks pace, distance & routes

Comes with both large and small interchangeable bands

Specification:

BrandFitbit

ModelFB503GYBK

Weight10.7 oz

2

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Sport Watch

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Second up in our Best Sports Watches review we have something from a global brand, Samsung, in the shape of their Gear S3 frontier smartwatch. You can use this distinctive and stylish watch to pay for purchases, track your location, receive texts and make calls entirely hands-free, all without ever reaching for your phone. The G3 is Bluetooth connected and comes with a built-in speaker and microphone too. It’s also resistant to water, dust and even the occasional unintended drop plus it features nothing short of military grade performance so can even be used in extremes of both sweltering and Baltic cold conditions without letting you down.

When it comes to the battery life, the Samsung is also impressive with one single charge lasting for days, even when being utilized non-stop. There’s even a wireless charger so you can still power up without slowing down. Another standout feature of this best watch from Samsung is its customizable features. You can literally choose from thousands of attractive colored watch faces and designs and change the wristband if you prefer. Compatible with Android and IOS smartphones, there’s also built-in GPS which helps to keep track of your location and activity. Make sure you also check our guide to the best dive watches for more great watches like this.

Can text, call, receive notifications and listen to music via Bluetooth

Military grade, durable and resistant performance against water, heat, and dust

Built-in GPS tracks and shares location and monitors activity

Specification:

BrandSamsung

ModelSM-R760NDAAXAR

Weight2.24 oz

3

Citizen Men’s CA0467-03E Primo Eco-Drive Sport Watch

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Next up we’re recommending a super stylish timepiece from Citizen which is a fantastic option for those among you with a passion for aquatic sports as well as sophisticated chronographs. The Primo on Citizen is part of their Eco-Drive range for men and is a top of line piece from their collection. With a black analog dial with date display, the watch features glowing hands and distinctive markers. They call it adrenaline fuelled, full-throttle race-inspired chronograph and it certainly is a very sporty number that would look great on any wrist. Entirely powered by light thanks to that Eco-Drive technology, this watch will never need a battery.

With a soft touch leather strapped accented with bright blue nylon stitching, Citizen Men’s CA0467-03E Primo Eco-Drive Watch looks every bit as good as it performs. It’s water resistant to 333ft and 10 Bar which means that it is suitable for swimming, showering and also snorkeling. Featuring a mineral crystal display with Japanese quartz movement, there’s a rotating bezel with tachymeter, 60-minute chronograph, and even a date window. It’s the perfect timepiece and beautifully fuses form and function thanks to that three-subdial chronograph and sporty designed strap which give this sports watch an edgy and racy modern design twist.

4

Epson E11E223052 Pro Sense 367 GPS Multisport Watch

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Our next Best Sports Watch review may surprise those of you not already in the know who perhaps aren’t familiar yet with this leading brand of sensing technology. The Epson Pro Sense is one seriously stylish timepiece that is so much more than a good looking and well-designed watch. It also enables you to train like a pro thanks to integrated and highly accurate training features that are appropriate for all levels of fitness, from amateur to pro-athlete. With several bespoke programs included you can map out your routes with RouteSense GPS and monitor your heart rate and performance with cardio sense technology. All vital stats are neatly displayed and highly visible thanks to the premium, sapphire glad EasyView display.

It’s a sleek and sophisticated sports watch with plenty of functionality including an outstanding battery life which has to be one of the best in its class, lasting for up to 46 hours. Whether you are passionate about running, swimming or cycling, this may well be the perfect sports watch for you. It automatically tracks and transits your date to its intuitive Epson View App so that you can further analyze and share your results. Customize your goals, conveniently receive alerts and also control your audio playlist. You can even add advanced metrics like VO2max estimate and track your recovery time. A highly accurate and seriously stylish sports-based wristwatch.

5

Tissot Men’s T0814209705703 T-Race Touch Sport Watch

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We’re reviewing a beautifully stylish watch up next from Tissot which they claim will be your best sporting buddy and who are we to disagree? The Tissot T-Race Touch is a functional, comfortable and high performing best sports watch which we’re confident you will love. Great for any sports enthusiast, you can measure your times and laps plus there is compass feature which can be operated via a simple touch of the screen. You can even record your previous results and capture them in your performance logbook. Its attractive design includes a round aluminum watch with striking orange and black case and luminescent hands and markers.

There’s a split lap function, 2 countdown timers, 2 alarms and also a perpetual calendar along with second time zone and all of that is illuminated with backlight functions. The screen features an anti-reflective coating, and the face has both Arabic numerals and indexes plus that LCD touchscreen function. It’s also water resistant to 100 m or 333 ft which means that it is perfect for general water sports including swimming and snorkeling but not for deep scuba diving. A great addition to your watch collection, particularly if the next investment you are looking to make is in a sports specific styled timepiece.

Key Features:

Swiss quartz movement with analog display

Water resistant to 333 ft so perfect for fans of snorkeling

Features secure buckle closure on durable rubber wristband

Attractive design with orange and black case and luminescent hands and markers

LCD touchscreen function with compass mode

Specification:

BrandTissot

ModelT0814209705703

Weight1.8 lbs

6

Seiko Men’s Black Ion Solar Chronograph Watch

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Seiko has been at the forefront of modern quartz watch design now for over four decades have brought out their first ever quartz watch back in 1969. Since then they have added 100’s of models to their extensive collections with this Solar powered sports style chronograph being one of our current favorites and a great option if you are looking for the best sports watch. Seiko today offers a wide range of watches powered by light sources which don’t require any battery to operate. All of that means that this Seiko Black Ion Solar Watch is not only a bright idea and looks fabulous on your wrist, but it’s also good for the planet too.

With a modern black canvas strap and unique orange numbers and hands, this chronograph is accurate to a 1/5 second and is powered by both natural and artificial light. It features a 6-month power reserve with energy depletion warning and overall has a very military-inspired look and feel. It’s water resistant to 100 m or 333 ft which means that it is perfectly suitable for swimming and snorkeling and other surface-level aquatic and water-based sports. With an on-board stopwatch that measures split times with one-fifth second increments, this Seiko sports watch is a reliable and accurate choice.

Key Features:

Solar powered watch operated by both natural and artificial light

Sturdy nylon band with buckle closure with military-inspired design detailing

Water resistant to 100 m or 330 ft so great for water sports enthusiasts

7

Suunto Elementum Terra Digital Sports Watch

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Our next Best Men’s Sports Watch recommendation comes from Suunto and is their Elementum Terra Watch which is a premium style timepiece, perfect for urban as well as mountain life on account of all its desirable features and benefits. It’s a beautifully crafted watch, exclusively made in Finland and combines urban-inspired and fresh modern design with precision technology and the heritage which comes from outstanding craftsmanship. While it looks fabulous as an everyday watch for the urbanites and runners among you, it’s also fantastic for anyone who loves to get away from it all and seeks thrills and adventures in the great outdoors.

With a built-in altimeter, barometer and a compass, you can measure the altitude of the mountain ascent, check in on all the latest weather trends before you head off-piste and it includes a unique 3D compass function. All of that exquisite Finnish craftsmanship comes in a stylish and dependable stainless steel casing with sapphire crystal glass that has been specially designed to withstand the elements.

8

Timex Ironman Classic 30 Watch

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If you are an Ironman in training, then you are bound to appreciate our next sports watch which is a classic from Timex and has been specifically designed with all you budding athletes in mind for whom precision timing and keeping track of interval training is an absolute must. The Timex Ironman Classic 30 as a large oversized display perfect for viewing your stats in all conditions and can be easily and quickly operated with its 5 button design.

It comes with a 30-lap stopwatch memory and a host of customizable alarms and countdown intervals plus it’s also water-resistant to 100 meters for the swimming leg of your Ironman competition. There’s also an Indiglo backlight which when combined with that large display mean you won’t miss out on monitoring any of those performance results. The resin strap has a secure buckle closure, and it comes in an extensive range of colors and design accented finishes.

9

Garmin Forerunner 230

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We couldn’t possibly do a review on the Best Sports Watches without a Garmin getting a solid mention. We’ve picked out the Forerunner 230 for today’s roundup as all around it’s an excellent running watch with a plethora of smart features. You can track all the important functions you need like distance, pace, heart rate, and duration run plus calculate your VO2 Max. It has plenty of connected features so you can also receive audio prompts, control your music and notifications, plus also share your results and progress via social media. Not only does it track your daily steps and distance covered too, but you can also view your calories burnt and stay on top of your sleep patterns too.

Pair your Garmin 230 Forerunner watch with a smartphone, and you can access a whole host of additional connected features via the Garmin Connect app. You can also download customizable watch faces to really personalize your experience. There’s a not a lot that a Garmin can’t do, other than run for you!

10

Tissot Men’s T048417270570 T-Race Watch

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We’re finishing up today’s review of sports watches worth splashing your cash on with another excellent example of what Tissot has to offer with another chronograph from their extensive collection. With a stylish but also highly practical and durable black rubber strap this T-Race Watch certainly looks and performs the part. It’s a proper piece of male arm candy and will have all your friends jealous when they spot it on your wrist. Not only does it have quartz movement and a solidly dependable stainless steel case, but it also just so happens to be water resistant to 330 feet, so it’s perfect for all you water babies!

The silvertone luminescent hands are accented against the black dial, and there are several chronographs displaying date, seconds, minutes, hours and also a Tachymeter scale displayed around the flange. The black rubber strap gives this exquisite timepiece a very sporty look and feels while the face is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. A world-class watch with plenty of features that the sports enthusiasts among you will sincerely appreciate.

Sport Watch Care Guide

Unfortunately, your watch has enemies, so it’s essential, especially if you’ve blown the budget on it, to ensure that it is properly maintained and taken care of. Dirt, dust, moisture, and extremes of temperature can all affect the reliability of your watch, not to mention bumps and shocks, so even if you do have a hardy, robust and water resistant timepiece, it’s prudent to take good care of it. Clean your watch regularly, wiping down the band and the case to remove any dirt or dust that has built up and if your watch is water resistant, regularly submerge it in soapy water to loosen any ground in dirt. Just be sure to follow your manufacturer’s care instructions. It’s also a good idea to ensure your sports watch is regularly serviced. Manual watches need to be checked every 2-3 years whereas with a quartz watch you should be able to go 3-4 years in between your services. Look after the crystal display too to protect it from getting scratched or damaged and always try and keep it out of direct sunlight and protected from contact with chemicals and cleaning supplies. When you’re not wearing your watch, it’s a good idea to store it away in the original watch box supplied and don’t throw away your instruction manual as this is your back-up and ultimate care guide to ensure that your watch quite literally stays in tip-top and tick-tock condition for as long as possible.

Using a Sport Watch

Your sports watch will feature a host of different functions to your dress watch so refer to your manual to ensure that you really are getting the best out of all the functions that yours comes equipped with. Most likely those features are going to include a digital display for reading important statistical information, water resistance, a series of alarms and countdown timers, plus a backlight so that you can always view your performance results no matter what the weather and lighting conditions or whether you are above to submerged below water. Go ahead and get your time and date set up so that you always have the correct information on the screen and have toggle through all your settings to work out what does what. Your sports watch will likely have a series of different operating modes, so play around, refer to your manual, then set-up your timepiece to work for you.

Digital vs. Analog

Another way to consider the digital v analog debate when it comes to your wrist watch is to decide whether you want to go for quartz (battery powered) or mechanical (manual or automatically wound up). In a nutshell, quartz or digital watches are more accurate a precise while a more traditional mechanical timepiece is a better piece of horology and is likely to be significantly more expensive due to the craftsmanship involved in creating the intricate mechanics. A digital watch will go better with your workout gear whereas an analog watch will look smarter paired with a suit and tie. When it comes to readability, especially in the dark, a digital or quartz watch is likely to backlighting as opposed to an analog watch which will be lit by “lume” AKA luminous phosphorescent glow. It really is a complete matter of personal preference but generally speaking, digital makes for a more reliable and robust sports style watch.

Things to Consider

There are plenty of considerations when you are investing in a new sports watch and depending upon what sport you are going to be using it predominantly for, that will determine some of the features and the extra features that will be important to you. We’ve listed below just a few noteworthy points that you should consider before splashing the cash on a sports-specific timepiece.

Battery life – make sure that you invest in something that has a long battery life, and that can give you hours of performance without requiring a re-charge. Ideally go for one that can last you for days as this is a much more convenient solution, especially if you regularly use your watch and all its smart functions.

Water resistance – while most sports watches will have some element of water resistance, decide whether you are going to be swimming, snorkeling, showering or even diving in your watch as some only offer a very moderate level of waterproofing. That may well be adequate for a quick shower but not for when you are hitting the pool for your Triathlon training session.

Extra features – Watches come with a myriad of add on’s and features that you may or may not find useful! Heart rate monitors and GPS systems are especially handy if you intend doing lots of outdoors running and having the ability to listen to music and also take calls on your sports watch might make a lot of sense to your lifestyle.

Lighting – if you know that you are going to be exercising in the dark, or submerged under water, you need to go for something that features luminescent numerals and hands so that you can more easily read the time and those critical stats in poor light.

Syncing data – if you want to record your stats and sync data for future reference, then opt for something that is compatible with Bluetooth or that you can pair with a smartphone wirelessly.

Replacing straps – It’s a sensible idea to go for a sports watch that you can easily replace the watch strap on, that way you can better prolong the life and the stylish good looks of your sports watch for many years to come and also to suit your changing personal style and moods. Sometimes it’s a refreshing change to switch things up and go for a different material or color to bring fresh life and style into an existing watch.